Vending installation



Dec. 1924- 1,521,521

' c. E. FLAGG VENDING INSTALLATION Filed June 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 all 1'02 Dec, 30, 1924.

C. E. FLAGG VENDI NG I NSTALLATI ON Filed June 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7120 12615121 fi/mrImEillw ail/ 1 0 Dec. E924. 1,521,521

c. E. FLAGG VENDING INSTALLATION Filed June 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 E; vezfiar Dec. 1924. 1,521,521

6. E. FLAGG VENDING INSTALLATION Filed June 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 15 7 754 Dec. 30, 1924.

C. E. FLAGG VENDING INSTALLATION Filed June 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. so, 1924;

UNITED STATES CHARLES FLAGG, OF WEST RUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

VENDING- INSTALLATION.

Applioation filed June 29 To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. Frisco, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVest Roxbury, county of Suffolk, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Installations, of which the following is 1 dew, and

' ally handled by small grocers and a. specification.

My invention relates to intra-store merchandising and to a unit or structure which while having some of the characteristics of so-called store furniture, involves both a combinative feature with a previously existing store usually having a display wina novel conception of a store of selfcontained' independency operable as a unit or in a system by which it may obtaln an original status among a local, as well as a broader purchasing public. v

The various problems of overhead expenses such as. rentals and upkeep and problems of display and service have made merchandising in many lines a most difiicult art. In many lines, such as those usualsoas in some lines of wearing apparel and the like, the percentage of overhead cost, the increasingly high rentals of stores arbitrarily laid out on a larger scale than the occupants volume of business will justify compelled a retail price relatively higher or else a failure.

My invention contemplates the establishment of independent merchandising businesses in previously existing stores where the entire store is not being utilized to maximum economic advantage and where an .increase of entering customers would work to mutual advantage with cotenant businesses. The problem of such merchandising, aside of course from advertising, begins at the sidewalk with the display window, reaches its critical point by the entry of the prospective customer of the outer store door, and is successful in proportion to the customers sustained interest in goods displayed and the speed with which satisfactory maximum sale and delivery is made.

My conception of means "to this end was a combination of maximum visibility of all parts with interior accessibility and exterior inaccessibility of displayed merchandise. It involved an interior operating space, preferably of elongated character and as narrow as possible and enclosed by rather shallow 1923. Serial No. 648,617.

compartmented walls which by the shallowness of compartment, and openness to vision (but not access) threw the whole. into a state of complete interior visibility by which an entire stock of merchandise was thrown into a customers field of vision in an irresistable challenge of his attention and interest.

\Vhile my invention is capable of successful practice in single local businesses, it is very highly adapted to the so-called chain store system under which it can be operated with maximum efiiciency and economy with attendant low price made possible by volume of business. In carrying out my invention in its preferred form, I combine a unitary vending cubicle, which is of what might be called cellular character as regards its surrounding walls, and which is entirely self-contained and enclosed thereby and which combines with the ordinary permanent display window of the regular store building in such a way that it can maintaina complete business independency apart from a previous established business in the previous regular store. If that previous business does notrequire the entire previous store building, then the presence of such business is not only no detriment to the then going business, but

is an aid and stimulus in that it is able to assume a portion of the previous fixed store rental while attracting an additional line of customers who, oncewithin the door, bring increased purchasing power and business volume.

In illustrating my invention herein, I have endeavored to show as illustrative thereof a preferred combination of cubicle and especially in its most efiicient combination with a store window. Without going into structural detail which in most business can be carried to a considerable degree of detailed efiiciency, it will be noted that such a cubicle is generally in effect a hollow structure, the walls of which are compartmented except for the delivery opening or openings which form the counter. The compartments while externally inaccessible and internally accessible are neverthelessfby their shallow and extended character and glazing. factors of complete visibility throughout the structure as a whole. It will be noted that the interior space defined by these cellular walls constitutes an elongated enclosed operating space for the attendant or attendants to whom the exterior visible and one or more display windows 3. lVithan installation.

Fi 6 is a diagrammatic plan showing insta ation with reference to the rest of the store.

The illustrative installation shown will thus be understood as comprising any existing store building usually having a main entrance or door 1, an extended interior 2,

in and with these I combine a structure which as shown comprises the following elements.

I provide exterior surrounding structure walls each wall comprising an exterior wall 11 and preferably an adjacent parallel inner wall 12 forming thereby an enclosing space or outer shell within which is an interior operating space or runway X where one or more operatives or attendants may serve in vending capacity.

Generally considered, the exterior walls 11 are exteriorly inaccessible but the interior is entirely visible therethrough and throughout.

The exterior walls 11 are preferably compartmented by vertical section walls 14 and by horizontal shelf walls 13 which form between themselves a large number of substantially uniform cell units which are preferably exteriorly glazed and preferably provided on their interior faces in the plane of the operating space or runway X with convenient glazed doors of slides 12 In this way the cellular walls'of the cubicle are substantially transparent throughout and even when goods are in place permit vision not only of the interior but of the goods in the opposite compartments of the opposite wallso that in a minimum of space there is a maximum of display in all directions.

The cubicle top 15 is preferably surfaced at 15 so as to afford display space for advertising matter externally of the cubicle while interiorly the top afl'ords in its relation to the spaced walls of the cubicle a reflectin area. This may be variously equippe but I find that in practice by a single row of lights or light clusters on each side, as indicated at 16 and by an inexpensive reflecting surface 16 I obtain a high degree of dispersion downwardly and laterally outwardly so that not only is the runway itself illuminated, but each of the cells or compartments of the walls of the cubicle are lighted in the manner highly calculated to set off the goods displayed zone of cells is opened exteriorly as at Y as explained in connection with the construction of the sides. At one end this constitutes a continuation of the service opening and :counter, whereas at the outer window end it constitutes a means of access from the interior of the cubicle to the window itself by which the window itself may be dressed or stripped or special goods reached for delivery.

The cubicle may be and in most instances would be in somewhat varied relation to the rest of the store in which it is located. Wherever possible and for maximum efficiency the greater the surrounding space the more opportunity for the purchasing public to obtain a full and thorough ins ection of the various compartments and t eir contained goods so that they will have a maximum purchasing urge by the time they actually approach the service zone of the cubicle. 1

In practice this is very important and is founded on sound psychological principles.

If a customers interest has been only aroused to the extent of one article and he is delayed in securing that article his purchasing intent may slacken. If in his approach a plurality of desires are stirred the consummation of his actual purchase is more certain'and his further extended :interest is almost certain to stimulate other interests and additional purchases. In the same way the initial purchasing impulse may be acquired by a prospective customer even prior to entering the store by reason of the visibility of the entire interior of the cubicle from the store window 3.- This I have attempted to show in Fig. 2 in which also appears the lateral-Wing pieces 21 which extend from the corner of the eubicle adjacent the Window permanently attaching the cubicle to the window and at the same time forming a background for goods on display. Although this combination of show window and vending cubicle (Fig. 2) is in some respects preferable on account of the increased merchandising appeal, the cubicle may, however, be disassociated from the show window and arment has accordingly been shown in Fig. 4.

-As previously explained the relative nar rowncss of the cubicle as a whole and also its interior runway and the visibility of the goods on the shelves, not only externally but internally, makes the display one of most compelling eflect and presents amore comprehensive view of the entire line of merchandise.

In order to preserve the. independency of my cubicle and especially to make it possible to lock up the installation including both the cubicle and its annexed store window I provide a closure or series of closures 17 for blocking the delivery openings Y.

In the form. shown these are sliding screens preferably glazed and slide upwardly so as to overlie the outer shell of the upper part of the cubicle wall. As they are glazed the visibility of the interior through the upper wall is not destroyed and the cubicle remains as heretofore described and open to inspection at all times without being accessible to the ublic.

Access to the interior runway X is had by a removable section 18 ot' the counter 18 which is hinged to lift. The adjacent section of the cubicle wall opens out thus permitting entry by the attendant who then closes up the entry and is wholly within the installation.

In my present application I have discussed my cubicle principally from its general vending characteristics, although the structure shown is convenient and practical and involves in addition to its general concept various convenient structural improvements. L

What I therefore claim and desire to se- (ure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a store front display window, an interiorly disposed abutting self-contained vending cubicle enclosingly attached to the inner side of sald window space, said cubicle comprising opposite parallel walls about a longitudinally disposed interior operating space and having an opening in its wall adjacent said windew and visually aligned therewith so that the interior is visible from the outside of the store.

2. In combination with a store show window an enclosed vending cubicle disposed in said store and adjacent the interior of said store window whereby the interior of the cubicle is visible exteriorly of the store, comprising enclosing parallel cellular walls disposed about an interior operating space, the exterior-1y exposed cells of said walls being transparently scaled against exterior accession and the interiorly exposed cells being interiorly accessible, a longitudinal row of cells of one or more of said walls being opened both exteriorly and interiorly to form a. countered delivery opening, and means for externally closing said opening to completely lock the unit.

3. A vending cubicle comprising an elongated narrow structure having shallow compartmented walls enclosing a narrow interior operating way, said compartmentcd walls being of relatively narrow depth, and sub-divided to provide a series of superimposed compartments which are externally transparently sealed, whereby the compartments of both walls are visible from either side, a top supported by said walls and covering said way, said top having lateral reflecting surfaces, and laterally disposed sources of light whereby the light is reflected laterally downwardly from each side of said top into the compartments of the opposite cubicle wall.

4:. A vending cubicle comprising an enclosed structure having shallow compartmented walls enclosing a narrow interior operating way, said compartmcnted walls being of relatively narrow depth, and sub-divided to provide a series of superimposed compartments which are externally transparently sealed, whereb the compartments of both walls are visi 'le from either side, a top supported by said walls and covering said way, said top having lateral reflecting surfaces, and laterally disposed sources of light whereby the light is reflected laterally downwardly from each side of said top into the compartments of the opposite cubicle wall.

'5; A vending cubicle comprising an elongated narrow structure having shallow compartmented walls enclosing a narrow interior operating way, said compartmented walls being of relatively narrow depth and sub-divided to provide a series of superimposed compartments which are externally transparently sealed whereby the. compartments of both walls are visible from either side, said compartmented walls being longitudinally apertured to form a countered delivery opening, a top supported by said walls and covering said way, said top haviug laterally reflecting sur aces, sources of light disposed along the top in cooperating relation to said reflecting surfaces whereby the light is reflected laterally downwardly from each side of said top and into the compartments of the opposite cubicle wall and a series of lights disposed externally beneath the outer edge of the countered delivery opening and an exterior reflector directive of the light therefrom through the adjacent compartment walls and into said operating g An enclosed unitary vending cubicle comprising oppositely disposed double walls enclosing a narrow elongated interior operating space, said double walls being of relatively narrow-depth and subdivided to provide a series of externally and internally glazed compartments externally inaccessible but internally accessible from said interior operating space, a top supported by said In testimony whereof I affix my signature walls and covering and sealing said operin presence of two witnesses.

ating space, one of said Walls being longitudinally opened to provide a countered de- CHARLES E. FLAGGQ livery aperture, and a transparent closure for said delivery aperture and slidably W'itnesses:

mounted in said walls to seal the cubicle as ELsrE F. DYER,

a business independency. MARIAN F. Weiss. 

